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Arnold Air Force Base PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TULLAHOMA TN Vol. 65, No. 4 Arnold AFB, Tenn. PERMIT NO. 29 February 20, 2018 Engine test cell modifications result in expanding test capabilities By Deidre Ortiz AEDC Public Affairs The AEDC T-11 engine test cell at Ar- nold Air Force Base has been enhanced to perform a wide variety of research tests in addition to its primary role of testing small engines in a direct-connect con- figuration. The Air Force Project Manager for up- coming technology tests in T-11, Joshua Osborne, explained that one of the largest benefits is that this provides a cost effec- tive way to develop and prove needed test techniques at a lower scale or at the com- ponent level to reduce risk to high-cost advanced weapon systems. “Air Force test and evaluation ca- pabilities must keep up with advanced weapon systems that are currently being developed to help ensure that develop- ment programs advance to flight test with confidence that performance require- ments will be met or exceeded,” he said. According to David Beale, a mem- ber of the Facilities & Test Technology Team at Arnold, the T-11 enhancement was a key element of an AEDC technol- The AEDC T-11 engine test cell at Arnold Air Force Base was recently modified as part of effort in the AEDC technology ogy program initiative to develop ground program to develop test and evaluation techniques that will prepare the Complex to meet future vision system weapon test and evaluation (T&E) techniques that requirements. To implement a plug-in module concept, the T-11 plenum was modified by installing a spool piece that enabled the installation of a plenum apparatus and provided the interface for the plug-in modules. Pictured is the Re- will prepare the Complex to meet chal- search Cell R1D section that will become a plug-in module for T-11. (AEDC photo) lenges introduced by future vision system weapon requirements. validate computational models,” Beale Examples include: Tunnel 1T that cility (ETF) Research Cell R1E that vali- “The development of the advanced said. “AEDC has a rich history of suc- readied technology for the Propulsion dated the Aeropropulsion Systems Test T&E technologies demands laboratory cesses that used small laboratory facili- Wind Tunnel’s 16-foot Transonic tunnel; Facility air supply configuration prior tests to evaluate alternatives, validate test ties to prepare for major operational test Tunnel D that accomplished the same for applications, validate test protocols and capabilities.” von Kármán Tunnel A; Engine Test Fa- See ENGINE, page 2 Former NASA administrator Bolden speaks Test Support and Hypervelocity Tunnel 9 at Arnold AFB Black History Observance teams complete first remote installation By Bradley Hicks of original AEDC data system AEDC Public Affairs By Bradley Hicks Campbell, Arnold Hypersonics Citing the appropriateness AEDC Public Affairs Instrumentation, Data & Control of the setting, Charles Bolden Systems engineer. “Each test unit Jr. gave those in attendance for A team effort between person- has different requirements so each his speech at the University of nel at AEDC Hypervelocity Wind test cell’s configuration has just Tennessee Space Institute a lit- Tunnel 9 in White Oak, Maryland, the modular components neces- tle homework assignment. and Arnold Air Force Base recent- sary to meet its requirement. Each “Your homework is to do ly facilitated the replacement of test cell configuration is defined in all you can with what you have the 20-year-old Tunnel 9 system a configuration database. That da- with the time that you have in used to record, process and display tabase defines which modules are the place that you are,” Bolden test data. present and where each software said. Last month, Tunnel 9 com- application will run.” Bolden, a retired U.S. Ma- pleted the final installation and Tunnel 9 Data Systems and In- rine Corps Major General, for- necessary sign-offs for its new strumentation Engineer Joel Barr mer astronaut and the first black Enterprise Data Acquisition and said the upgrade was necessary administrator of NASA, was Processing System (EDAPS). due to the age of the DARE IX the speaker at the Arnold Air EDAPS replaces the Legacy Data system. Force Base Black History Ob- Acquisition and Recording Equip- “The current DARE IX sys- servance hosted by the African- ment (DARE) IX system used pre- tem had reached the end of its life American Heritage Committee, viously at Tunnel 9 and marks the cycle and replacement parts were Feb. 9 in the UTSI Auditorium. first installation of EDAPS outside no longer being supported by the Former President Barack of Tennessee. manufacturer,” Barr said. “Further, Obama nominated Bolden as the EDAPS System is an Arnold the 12th NASA Administrator EDAPS vs DARE IX proprietary system that has been in 2009, and Bolden served in EDAPS, which was fully de- installed in multiple other tunnels this capacity through January signed and developed at Arnold, in Tennessee. This group provides 2017. provides capabilities for acquiring, software development services Bolden spent 14 years of his processing, displaying, and re- and improvements instigated by 34-year career with the Marines Former NASA administrator Charles Bolden Jr. speaks dur- cording test article measurements. one tunnel [and] gets propagated Corps as a member of the NASA ing the Arnold Air Force Base African-American Heritage Both the EDAPS and DARE IX across multiple testing areas.” Committee Black History Observance on Feb. 5 at the Uni- Astronaut Office. After joining systems collect data via Digital When it came time to replace versity of Tennessee Space Institute. (Air Force photo/Brad- Voltage input signals from pres- the DARE IX system, Tunnel 9 that office in 1980, he traveled ley Hicks) to orbit four times aboard the sure and temperature transducers initially explored the development space shuttle between 1986 and Telescope and the first joint “I am proud to be among and store the raw data output. of a DARE X system utilizing on- 1994. He commanded two of U.S.-Russian shuttle mission. the pioneering cadre of “The primary difference be- site personnel and sourcing equip- those missions and piloted the He was inducted into African-American astronauts tween EDAPS and other data ment from Precision Filters Inc. to others. His flights included de- the U.S. Astronaut Hall of systems is its modular plug-&- play architecture,” said Ashley See DATA, page 8 ployment of the Hubble Space Fame in 2006. See HISTORY , page 3 Arnold engineers discuss AEDC Annual Award winners AEDC team members reflect on what it means to be an announced their experiences during Hawaii engineer false missile alert …Page 3 …Page 4 …Page 9 2 • February 20, 2018 Arnold Air Force The Air Engineering Metal Trades Base Council installs officers By Kathy Gattis By Bradley Hicks AEDC Public Affairs AEDC Public Affairs The Air Engineering At the heart of what goes on at AEDC are engineers. Metal Trades Council – Engineers oversee the testing, conduct the research AEDC’s largest union – and complete the maintenance necessary for AEDC to Col. Scott Cain installed its newly elected accomplish its mission. Now, it’s time to celebrate the Commander officers recently. impact these men and women and other engineers have Jason Austin Jay Vandergriff retired on the world around them. Chief, Jan. 25 and passed the National Engineers Week kicked off on Feb. 18 and Public Affairs gavel to Alvin Cleek, who continues through Feb. 24. This celebration of all things was elected as the Coun- engineering was started in 1951 by the National Society cil’s new president. Cleek of Professional Engineers and, according to that organi- has worked at AEDC for zation’s website, as a way to raise public awareness of Cynthia Rivera 13 years and has been an engineers’ positive contributions to quality of life and General Manager, ironworker for 33 years. to promote recognition among parents, teachers and National Aerospace He has served as chief students of the importance of a technical education and Solutions steward for the ironwork- The Air Engineering Metal Trades Council officers pictured with the chief stewards. The officers were a high level of math, science and technology literacy High Mach Staff: ers and carpenters for the elected Dec. 19, 2017 and installed Jan. 25 at Arnold Air Force Base. The AEMTC has more than 600 mem- while motivating youth to pursue engineering careers. Kathy Gattis, past 9 years. Prior to that bers. Not pictured are officers Annette Painter and Neil Aukeman and chief stewards Tim McNeese and The National Engineers Week theme this year is NAS Executive Editor he was trustee and vice Carl P. Hill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Rick Goodfriend) “Engineers: Inspiring Wonder.” Those at Arnold Air Raquel March, president. use this committee for the Force Base have done their part to foster fascination in NAS Editor “I would like to thank benefit of all employees at young minds, as National Engineers Week happenings High Mach is published by everyone for their sup- AEDC. around Arnold are scheduled to include a Student De- Lakeway Publishers, Inc. a pri- port,” Cleek said. “My job Other officers elected sign Competition and an Engineer for a Day event for vate firm in no way connected is to make sure the Collec- high schoolers. with the U.S. Air Force, Arnold and installed: Mike Lance, Air Force Base, Arnold Engi- tive Bargaining Agreement vice president; Jim Hicks, From those who have spent decades in the field to neering Development Complex is followed and I want to recording secretary; An- those whose engineering careers are just beginning, (AEDC) or National Aerospace make sure everyone is nette Painter, financial engineers across Arnold have their own perspective on Solutions (NAS), under exclu- treated equally across the secretary/treasurer; Neil what inspired them to wonder and what it means to be sive written contract with NAS at Arnold AFB, Tenn., 37389.
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